Oceanside RCMP and the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) are investigating after three bodies were discovered on Sunday afternoon in rural Qualicum Beach.
Police said they found a burned-out travel trailer with two deceased adults inside and a man in another trailer who appeared to have been shot. The shooting victim was airlifted by BC Emergency Health Services (EHS) to hospital and is in stable condition.
The scene was brought to the attention of the Oceanside RCMP by a person riding a motorcycle on Melrose Forest Service Road when he came across an unresponsive man, shortly after 2 p.m. on Nov. 1. The motorcycle operator immediately called BC EHS and police.
When police and paramedics arrived, they located the man and confirmed he was dead.
Oceanside RCMP sought assistance of the VIIMCU, who has arrived and is taking the lead on the investigation.
“As this investigation is in its infancy, there are many questions that remain unanswered. Initial findings lead investigators to believe that this in an isolated incident between parties well known to one another. We do not believe there is any on-going risk to the public,” said Cpl. Jesse Foreman of the Oceanside RCMP.
The BC Coroners Service is conducting its own fact-finding investigation, RCMP said.
The names of the deceased are not being released at this time.
“VIIMCU investigators are working hard to uncover facts and are enlisting expertise from several support units”, said Supt. Sanjaya Wijayakoon, BC RCMP Major Crime Unit Operations officer.
Anyone with information or dash camera or trail camera video in relation to the area is asked by RCMP to call the tip and information line at (250) 380-6211.
